August 25, 2004

Just about everything written about Rogue Wave suggests that the band members look like Muppets. One guy looks like Beaker, but that's about it. Sonically, however, there's a lot to say about the Oakland foursome such as: Their album Out of the Shadow is a splendid arrangement of sweet emo pop and sentimental, goofy lyrics. They smile a lot and have a particularly entertaining style, and on stage they up the fun by swapping instruments. Better than Animal's drum solos.

Wednesday, August 25, Neurolux.

Haylie and Hilary Duff

I'm so excited I could scream like a preteen girl. Haylie Duff, a.k.a. Summer the popular girl, the object of Pedro's affection in the film Napoleon Dynamite, is coming to Boise! I freakin' loved her dance number at the student council debate. Apparently she's a singer too. A triple-threat talent just like her younger sister, who had shown her up until the release of Napoleon. The sis is none other than teen sweet tart Hilary Duff. Maybe you've heard of her. Hilary, Disney's newest saturation, is a film and television star (Lizzie McGuire), a pop singer (her album Metamorphosis shipped gold) and a proprietor of milk mustaches. And despite the coolness of Hailey's latest move, Hil is headlining the show. Can't fight the Disney.

There's a national canned food drive, so bring a can to the show. All Boise cans benefit Boise Rescue Mission.

Question: What do you get when you mix techno, aggressive guitar, gothic overtones and industrial rhythm? Static-X. The mishmash style works, since the quartet was signed to Warner Brothers Records in February 1998. Three months and they had already recorded their debut album Wisconsin Death Trip. Then came a few more, and now they have Beneath ... Between ... Beyond, the newest disc. Trust Company and Soil open the show.

Thursday, August 26, Big Easy, 7:30 p.m. $19.50.

The Velvet Teen

Bittersweet is a good word to describe sounds of The Velvet Teen, the band Jeff Buckley's mom likes so much that she proffered them one of her son's good luck charms. Singer Judah Nagler's delicate voice regularly draws Buckley comparisons while the rest of the band creates flowing indie pop melodies. Thanks to play on MTV2, the band has garnered much out-of-the-blue success.

Thursday, August 26, Neurolux.

Michelle Malone

Michelle Malone has been touring nonstop for the last year. She and drummer Linda Bolley are kind of like a Southern-fried White Stripes but not married and/or brother/sister (which seems more Southern, incidentally). Michelle's best friend is her guitar, which must've been hard for Linda on the road this past year. But it's a relationship that pays off; the music she makes with her pal is an "acoustic-angel-meets-the-devil" boot stomping rock.

Saturday, August 28, $8, Neurolux.

Nyne Lyvz

The classic rock band Nyne Lyvz is going to perform at the Brandon Titus Benefit. Brandon is the young Boise soldier recently killed in Iraq. The benefit will raise money for Brandon's funeral.

Sunday, August 29, Mr. Lucky's, 3-8 p.m.

Steve Miller Band

Everybody's favorite jokers, the Steve Miller Band, are helping to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Snake River Alliance, Idaho's nuclear watchdog. The benefit concert will also feature short local musical acts and zany performers. Lots of fun for a good cause. The Steve Miller Band will take the stage at 6 p.m. See the A&E Extra on page 29 for details.

Sunday, August 29, Wood River Valley High School outdoor field, Hailey, 3 p.m. $40 for adults, kids under 6 are free. All proceeds benefit Snake River Alliance.

Melee

When I hear the word melee in terms of music, I think of hardcore, hand-to-hand combat kinda music. In fact, the band that calls itself Melee is more of a powerpop quartet. When I see them stylishly dressed in too-small velvet blazers, I conclude they don't do much fighting. They are co-headlining their tour with Limbeck (which makes me think of soft cheese). You may have caught Melee on the Vans Warped Tour this summer, if not, catch them now. The SoCal-based bandmates, just barely out of their teens, donate a portion of the proceeds from their new album Everyday Behavior to Orangewood PALS, an Orange County, California, home for abused children. Definitely not fighters.